I am curious about the difference between expressing yourself creatively eg drawing, journaling etc., and expressing yourself to God. Is there a difference? If God is everywhere and knows everything, if His spirit dwells within those with faith, then is anything not prayer, for all we do communicates something? For those without faith is that expression still prayer? Does prayer require some kind of listening/receiving two-way communication?
I draw to capture and create something beautiful. I write (journal and creative types) to make sense of the world and to get the words out of my head that storm round and round until they’re released onto paper. Sometimes this writing is directed to God and sometimes to my counsellor, my journal or just the page.
I garden to cultivate beauty around me. Gardening (and the above) is very regulating for me and grounds me. I just can’t quite get my head around that this could all be prayer. I am expressing myself but am I expressing it to God?
I love these questions because they demonstrate how we have set talking to God apart from simply living. When you asked, "I am expressing myself but am I expressing it to God?" I thought about young children. I don't know of a child in a healthy, nurturing relationship who creates something without naturally sharing it with an adult. They grow to be more secretive, but initially, there is no difference in creating and sharing. I painted a potting table today. I don't even remember when I painted anything! I felt God sharing this experience with me knowing that it was a big deal. I didn't need to say, "Dear God, I am painting this potting table." God was listening to the peace I felt. I hope that makes sense.
I am curious about the difference between expressing yourself creatively eg drawing, journaling etc., and expressing yourself to God. Is there a difference? If God is everywhere and knows everything, if His spirit dwells within those with faith, then is anything not prayer, for all we do communicates something? For those without faith is that expression still prayer? Does prayer require some kind of listening/receiving two-way communication?
I draw to capture and create something beautiful. I write (journal and creative types) to make sense of the world and to get the words out of my head that storm round and round until they’re released onto paper. Sometimes this writing is directed to God and sometimes to my counsellor, my journal or just the page.
I garden to cultivate beauty around me. Gardening (and the above) is very regulating for me and grounds me. I just can’t quite get my head around that this could all be prayer. I am expressing myself but am I expressing it to God?
I love these questions because they demonstrate how we have set talking to God apart from simply living. When you asked, "I am expressing myself but am I expressing it to God?" I thought about young children. I don't know of a child in a healthy, nurturing relationship who creates something without naturally sharing it with an adult. They grow to be more secretive, but initially, there is no difference in creating and sharing. I painted a potting table today. I don't even remember when I painted anything! I felt God sharing this experience with me knowing that it was a big deal. I didn't need to say, "Dear God, I am painting this potting table." God was listening to the peace I felt. I hope that makes sense.